Hand held link making device and kit

Abstract

A disclosed device for creating an item consisting of a series of links includes at least two posts spaced part from each other in a first direction with each of the posts including a first arm and a second arm and an access slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for creating an item consisting of a series of links, the device comprising:
 at least two posts spaced part from each other in a first direction, wherein each of the posts include a first arm and a second arm and an access slot disposed therebetween, wherein each of the first arm and the second arm include upper and lower tabs for holding the links on the corresponding first arm and second arm. 
 
     
     
       2. The device as recited in  claim 1 , including a base supporting the at least two posts. 
     
     
       3. The device as recited in  claim 1 , including a link opening disposed within the base and between the at least two posts providing a space for completed links during fabrication of a linked article. 
     
     
       4. The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the access slot is aligned across the first arm and the second arm. 
     
     
       5. The device as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the tabs are spaced horizontally apart from each other. 
     
     
       6. A method of creating a linked item comprising the steps of:
 assembling a first elastic band across at least two posts of a template; 
 assembling at least one additional elastic band across the at least two posts above the first elastic band; 
 looping a first and a second end of the first elastic band over the at least one additional elastic band and off of the at least two posts; 
 adding at least one additional elastic band; 
 looping a first end and a second end of the bottom elastic band over the added elastic band; and 
 adding elastic bands and looping corresponding first and second ends of the bottom band over the added elastic band to obtain a desired number of links. 
 
     
     
       7. The method as recited in  claim 6 , wherein looping comprises grasping one of the first and second ends of the elastic bands with a hook tool and pulling the end over additional elastic bands. 
     
     
       8. The method as recited in  claim 7 , including extending the hook tool into a space defined within each of the at least two posts for grasping one of the first and second ends of the elastic bands. 
     
     
       9. The method as recited in  claim 6 , including extending linked ones of the elastic bands out an opening within a base supporting the at least two posts. 
     
     
       10. The method as recited in  claim 7 , including securing ends of the linked article with a clip by inserting ends of the elastic bands into a clip to form the linked item. 
     
     
       11. A kit for creating an item consisting of a series of links, the kit comprising:
 a template including at least two posts spaced part from each other in a first direction, wherein each of the posts include an access slot defined between a first arm and a second arm; and 
 at least one clip including inward facing ends disposed on each side of an opening for securing ends of the series of links together. 
 
     
     
       12. The kit as recited in  claim 11 , including a base supporting the at least two posts. 
     
     
       13. The kit as recited in  claim 11 , including a link opening disposed within the base and between the at least two posts providing a space for completed links to during fabrication of a linked article. 
     
     
       14. The kit as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the clip comprises a C-shape and the inward facing ends extend in a direction perpendicular to the opening. 
     
     
       15. The kit as recited in  claim 11 , including a hook for manipulating elastic members relative to each other. 
     
     
       16. The kit as recited in  claim 11 , including a plurality of elastic members for forming the series of links.